07 May Wine Thursday – May 8
Summer Wine Series – Week 1
Wines of Burgundy France
Burgundy Whites
All in all, white Burgundy is just Chardonnay, but the region is also the origin place of the variety, which is by the way, the world’s most popular white grape.
In Burgundy, the combination of climate, land, and tradition produce a wine that is coveted by many and never precisely replicated anywhere else.
Once you’re hooked on white Burgundy, there’s no going back. Some would say white Burg is the crack cocaine of Chardonnay. Sommeliers and retailers who sell white Burgundy sound like drug dealers: “Just try some, you’ll love it…”
Pairs With:
Domaine Alain Patriarche
Bourgogne Aligoté
100% Aligoté, Bourgogne, France. Notes of apple, citrus, tropical fruits, hay, butter, smoke and spices. Resheshing, with integrated acidity. Good minerality and long aftertatse.
Cocktail: Kir
Kir is a French cocktail made with a measure of crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) topped up with white wine.
The reinvention of blanc-cassis (post-1945) was necessitated by the German Army’s confiscation of all the local red Burgundy during the war. Faced with an excess of white wine, Kir renovated a drink that used to be made primarily with red.
When ordering a Kir, waiters in France sometimes ask whether the customer wants it made with crème de cassis, de mûre (blackberry), de pêche (peach), or framboise (raspberry).
Louis Latour
Grand Ardèche Chardonnay
Our Grand Ardèche 2022 has a pale yellow colour with pale green hues. Its rich nose reveals aromas of honey, acacia and almond. The generous palate of this sunny vintage is accompanied by notes of toasted almonds. Backed by fine acidity, this wine leaves a slightly saline finish that will leave your taste buds salivating.
Paired Cheese: American Style Brie
The flavor profile of American brie is similar to traditional French brie, featuring a rich, creamy, and slightly tangy taste, depending on the age and type of brie.
Paired Cheese: Tripple Cream Brie
Saint André Triple Crème Brie – Taking flavorful cues from equal parts tang and density from sour cream and the sweetness of whipped cream and marrying them together with a classic brie base.
Burgundy Reds
Burgundy Reds
Red Burgundy is Pinot Noir at its best. There are fine examples all along the Cote d’Or, however the Cote de Nuits is the legendary slope where some of the finest and most prized Red Burgundy is crafted. The power and impact of terroir is on full display with a broad range of styles from bright and mineral to powerful, earthy and structured. No two villages, vineyards or climats are alike.
Pairs With:
Jean Louis Dutraive
Fleurie ‘Clos de la Grand’Cour’
Amazing Beaujolais Gamay from the legend Jean-Louis Dutraive. Cranberry, raspberry, grass, mushrooms, leather, minerals. Cloudy plum-red color. Aromas of cooked down cherry and strawberry. Also a bit of clove and some tartness.
Paired Cheese: Gruyere
Domaine Matrot
Bourgogne Pinot Noir
This wine opens with bright red berry aromas—raspberry, cherry, and wild strawberry—layered with subtle floral notes and a hint of earthy spice. On the palate, it is fresh and silky, with refined tannins and a lively acidity that brings energy and precision. The finish is long and delicate, leaving a lingering impression of red fruit and a touch of minerality.
Paired Cheese: Piave Vecchio
Piave Vecchio is a hard, Italian cow’s milk cheese, particularly from the Veneto region, known for its intense, full-bodied flavor and nutty notes. It’s aged for at least 12 months and is often compared to Parmigiano Reggiano due to its texture and flavor profile.